On Discrete Subgroups of automorphism of $P^2_C$

Angel Cano, José Seade

Published 2008-06-08, updated 2012-09-06Version 2

We study the geometry and dynamics of discrete subgroups $\Gamma$ of $\PSL(3,\mathbb{C})$ with an open invariant set $\Omega \subset \PC^2$ where the action is properly discontinuous and the quotient $\Omega/\Gamma$ contains a connected component whicis compact. We call such groups {\it quasi-cocompact}. In this case $\Omega/\Gamma$ is a compact complex projective orbifold and $\Omega$ is a {\it divisible set}. Our first theorem refines classical work by Kobayashi-Ochiai and others about complex surfaces with a projective structure: We prove that every such group is either virtually affine or complex hyperbolic. We then classify the divisible sets that appear in this way, the corresponding quasi-cocompact groups and the orbifolds $\Omega/\Gamma$. We also prove that excluding a few exceptional cases, the Kulkarni region of discontinuity coincides with the equicontinuity region and is the largest open invariant set where the action is properly discontinuous.